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Battery box issue?

Hey all,

At a gig a couple weeks ago, I was getting no output from my Game Changer. I thought maybe my batteries were dead (despite having recently replaced them), so I swapped them out for some new ones. Still no output, except for a nasty buzzing sound. I removed and replaced the batteries a few times, and it finally came back online. Got through the gig OK. Tested the old batteries and learned that, as I expected, they were still fresh.

I've got no idea where to start troubleshooting this. Has anyone experienced this issue? Any thoughts where to start looking for problems?

I haven't had this with my Game Changer, but one of my EBMMs has an output jack that is looser than the others. If your cable had gotten loose or come out of the jack just slightly, it could shut down the electronics in the guitar. So don't overlook that. There are variances in the connectors on different 1/4" cables that I've picked up over the years, and some don't hold as securely in my guitars.

I haven't had this with my Game Changer, but one of my EBMMs has an output jack that is looser than the others. If your cable had gotten loose or come out of the jack just slightly, it could shut down the electronics in the guitar. So don't overlook that. There are variances in the connectors on different 1/4" cables that I've picked up over the years, and some don't hold as securely in my guitars.

This is very true. George L's cables are excellent in this regard.

“You’re always learning about this thing every time you pick it up.” - Keith Richards

No. It's frustratingly intermittent. I cleaned the contacts inside the battery box. They didn't look dirty, but it seemed like a thing to do. Haven't had the issue for a week or so. I'll update if it ever comes back. Thanks!

No. It's frustratingly intermittent. I cleaned the contacts inside the battery box. They didn't look dirty, but it seemed like a thing to do. Haven't had the issue for a week or so. I'll update if it ever comes back. Thanks!

Drew, based on the issue you raised, I checked out my battery box tonight while I was changing the batteries. I noticed that one of the springs appeared to be somewhat compressed without the battery being installed. I played around with it and sure enough without the other batteries also in there was not enough tension from the spring to hold the battery in place by itself--there was contact, but not much pressure from the spring. I stretched the spring gently until it looked roughly the same as the others and voila, same pressure. Not sure if this is helpful for your situation, but thought I would share.

“You’re always learning about this thing every time you pick it up.” - Keith Richards

Drew, based on the issue you raised, I checked out my battery box tonight while I was changing the batteries. I noticed that one of the springs appeared to be somewhat compressed without the battery being installed. I played around with it and sure enough without the other batteries also in there was not enough tension from the spring to hold the battery in place by itself--there was contact, but not much pressure from the spring. I stretched the spring gently until it looked roughly the same as the others and voila, same pressure. Not sure if this is helpful for your situation, but thought I would share.

Thanks! I&rsquo;ve figured out that on my guitar the issue is actually a loose jack. Not sure how to address that issue, given that it&rsquo;s part of an assembly that includes the midi and USB jacks as well.